**Karnataka Deputy CM Defends Rahul Gandhi Amid Election Commission Notice**
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has responded strongly to the Election Commission’s (EC) notice issued to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his claims of vote theft. The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) requested Gandhi to provide evidence supporting his assertion that a voter cast her ballot twice during the previous year’s Lok Sabha elections. Shivakumar contended that the EC lacks the authority to issue such notices.
“Let them issue a notice. Who are they to issue a notice? We have served him a notice. We have the power to give notice; we will give a notice. They do not have the authority to give us a notice,” Shivakumar stated while addressing reporters. He emphasized that the Congress party won the election “in a democratic way” and accused the EC of exceeding its jurisdiction. “You have the opportunity to conduct a free and fair election; however, you do not have the right to issue a notice to us. The law will answer,” he added.
Congress MLA Rizwan supported Shivakumar’s stance, asserting that Rahul Gandhi merely referenced data from the Election Commission in public discourse, suggesting that the EC’s reaction indicates it is “disturbed.”
During a rally in Bengaluru, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission for failing to provide voter lists in electronic format, claiming that machine-readable data could have exposed the alleged fraud in “30 seconds.” He labeled the purported fraud as a “criminal act against the people of Karnataka” and called for a thorough investigation by the state government to hold officials accountable for including fake names on the voter rolls. Gandhi warned EC officials that they “cannot hide” and will need to respond to the Opposition’s concerns.
In response to the allegations, the Election Commission dismissed the claims, urging Gandhi to “either sign and submit evidence” or cease making “baseless accusations” against the institution.
**FAQ**
**What was the main issue between Rahul Gandhi and the Election Commission?**
The main issue revolves around Rahul Gandhi’s claims of vote theft during the Lok Sabha elections, which led the Election Commission to request evidence from him, prompting a strong response from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
